In the secret realm of the Purple Flower Sea, beneath a massive tree, Yan Zhen held the alluring Zi Xunyi in his arms as they sat together on a fairy-tale swing, swaying gently back and forth.
With every swing, Zi Xunyi let out moans as sweet as heavenly music, her pale purple hair dancing in the wind. This filled Yan Zhen with boundless energy, making him swing even more enthusiastically.
Unbeknownst to them, a younger girl who looked just like Zi Xunyi (?), who had quietly followed them, witnessed the entire scene.
Sensing the intense waves of pleasure surging through her body, the young Zi Xunyi fled the spot in a hurry. She returned to reality and summoned her Jade Firmament Purple Dome Flame to sever the “spiritual link” between the two versions of herself. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief.
“…Bad guy.”
The young Zi Xunyi felt a pang of grievance.
After claiming her body, that certain someone had vanished for days on end. The moment he returned, he went straight to teasing her future self instead of visiting her present one.
And she’d even worried he might face trouble at the Yu Family.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Yan Zhen was jolted awake by a piercing cry. The Tianshan Snow Eagle circled the dormitory repeatedly, screeching with obvious excitement.
—This bird really isn’t a chicken? No, even if it were, only roosters crow at dawn—hens don’t do that.
—Sometime, he had to test if it liked to sing, dance, or rap.
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched. He glanced around and saw only Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er still asleep.
Which meant the ones under the covers were Cousin Ruyu and Senior Sister Xinyan?
Yan Zhen was surprised at their boldness. After a brief moment of thought, he carefully withdrew his arms from beneath Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er’s necks, then slipped them under the blanket to stroke their heads.
He recalled how much Mentor Yu Xuan loved this gesture. She would sometimes even pout and act cute, begging him for head pats.
Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan, huddled under the covers, both jumped in fright. A mix of shame and guilt froze them in place; they didn’t dare move a muscle.
Yan Zhen said nothing. His hands gently combed through their silky hair, which felt as smooth as fine silk.
Under this silent reassurance, the two women exchanged a glance before shyly resuming what they were doing.
By the time Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan finally emerged from under the blanket, Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er were already awake. They watched the pair with knowing looks.
Yan Ruyu instinctively wiped at her mouth. Xiao Xinyan unconsciously licked her lips, trying her best to look composed.
But then Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er let out smug hums before promptly diving under the covers themselves, taking up the spots Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan had just vacated.
Yan Zhen: Oh ho~
…
After getting up, Yan Zhen joined the four women for breakfast. He left them with some pills and spirit stones for cultivation before heading to the Dragon Gate River amid their farewells.
“I’m off now. Remember to cultivate diligently. If anything comes up, send me a message via messaging talisman—I’ll rush right to your side. You can also go to Dean Yu Qing or Grand Mentor Shui Bailan; they’ll give me face and help you out.”
With those instructions, Yan Zhen bid them goodbye. He transformed into a streak of starlight and leaped across the great river that divided the outer and inner academies.
The four women watched him vanish into the distance, their gazes lingering even after the starlight faded completely. A sense of emptiness tugged at their hearts.
They had shared such passionate intimacy the night before, yet now they were separated once more. Why did it have to be this way?
Because they weren’t strong enough.
If they had reached the Mystic Master Realm, they could enter the Inner Academy and cultivate alongside him, just like they had back at Mystic Academy.
—Their desire to grow stronger burned fiercer than ever.
Before Yan Zhen headed to Cloud Heaven Palace, they would break into the Inner Academy—using the cultivation resources Mentor Yu Xuan had given them!
Mentor Yu Xuan had long suspected her disciples were all reincarnators, so she provided ample resources to help them catch up to Yan Zhen quickly.
Of course, alongside the cultivation aids, she’d also slipped them copies of the Thirty-Six Bedroom Styles. And last night, someone had even taken the lead in testing them out.
Yan Meng’er, Mi Xue’er, and Xiao Xinyan all shot subtle glances at the resolute-looking Yan Ruyu.
—Lewd woman, hmph!
…
Unaware of Mentor Yu Xuan’s secret arrangements on his behalf, Yan Zhen executed the Starry Sky Dance to cross the Dragon Gate River. He landed smoothly at the dock, scattering starlight in his wake and drawing awestruck gazes from the surrounding students.
—Whoa, so cool~~
A bold senior sister even approached him directly, asking for his messaging talisman contact.
Yan Zhen naturally rejected her coolly. After all, he was a married man and couldn’t go flirting around.
Male Virtue +1.
He took to the air once more, following the route from memory toward the Cliffside Small Building.
To avoid drawing attention, he flew low-key—but he was still spotted and intercepted.
It was Wen Canglan.
The man stood atop a tree, gazing remotely at the Cliffside Small Building. The Crystal Eyes behind his glasses caught sight of the familiar starlight, and he immediately moved to block Yan Zhen.
“Junior Brother Yan Zhen, your dormitory isn’t in this direction.”
Yan Zhen replied frankly, “I’m here to see Zi Ji. Get out of my way.”
How could Wen Canglan not be certain now? This kid clearly had designs on Zi Ji, and they were on intimate enough terms that he could freely visit the Cliffside Small Building. He was Yan Zhen’s greatest romantic rival!
“The vice dean and grand elder have issued orders: Unless there’s urgent business, no students from our academy should approach the Cliffside Small Building and disturb the esteemed occupant within. I advise you to turn back, Junior Brother Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen frowned. “I suggest you stop peeping instead. The number two on the General Star List, the young master of the Wen Family—skulking in a tree to spy on a young lady’s private residence like some filthy thief. If word got out, you’d lose all face.”
Wen Canglan’s expression darkened. Mystic power swirled around him, gleaming like crystal under the sunlight—almost blinding.
“Junior Brother Yan Zhen, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”
Yan Zhen showed no fear. “What? You gonna slap me until I spit blood again? Sounds good. Last time you hit me, I spent the whole day lying on Zi Ji’s bed. Slept like a baby.”
Wen Canglan’s eyes widened, his breathing growing ragged.
This punk had lain on Zi Ji’s pristine, untouched bed… Even though Wen Canglan knew Zi Xunyi had done it to heal Yan Zhen, the jealousy still drove him to the brink of madness.
“Yan Zhen!”
“What? Chanting my true name won’t help. Unless you have the Purple-Gold Red Gourd—ah, Zi Ji.”
Wen Canglan’s ferocious expression vanished in an instant. He whipped around to look—nothing there.
When he turned back, Yan Zhen was gone too.
Seizing the chance, Yan Zhen had flown past him and landed on the open balcony of the Cliffside Small Building.
Wen Canglan desperately wanted to give chase, but he didn’t dare.
Zi Xunyi wasn’t just a Mystic King Realm expert; she was a true Divine Soul powerhouse—the undisputed number one in the Inner Academy. Even Gu Tiange couldn’t compare.
Risking Zi Xunyi’s wrath was out of the question. Wen Canglan could only watch helplessly as Yan Zhen knocked on the floor-to-ceiling window and entered the goddess’s room.
He clenched his fists tightly before turning and storming off.
Meanwhile, the moment Yan Zhen stepped inside, a pink blur shot straight at him. Her voice arrived before she did:
“Yan Zhen Zhen!”
Yan Zhen’s face changed dramatically.
—Holy crap, at it again?
Worse still, he failed to catch her this time. The Loli Dragon Girl slammed right into him for a full-body hug.
Dragon-Dragon Meat Bomb Impact!
“Thud.”
Yan Zhen toppled backward, his vision spinning as if he’d been hit by a speeding truck.
“Long Ying, you little rascal…”
The pink-haired, emerald-eyed Loli Dragon Girl lifted her face from his chest and grinned. “Welcome back, Yan Zhen Zhen!”
